Indian scientists discover a huge exoplanet five times the size of Earth

Indian scientists have discovered an exoplanet named TOI-6651b, a large and dense planet orbiting a Sun-like star. The exoplanet has a mass roughly 60 times that of Earth and is about five times larger in radius, setting it apart from most planets of similar size. This finding marks the fourth discovery of an exoplanet by India’s Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), and underlines India’s ongoing research in space sciences.

Location and orbital characteristics

TOI-6651b is located in a region known as the ‘Neptunian Desert’, an area where few planets of its mass are present. found. The exoplanet orbits its parent star in just over five days, making its ‘year’ just a fraction of an Earth month. Its path around the star is somewhat elliptical, which contributes to its distinctive features compared to other gas giants. The star TOI-6651, a G-type subgiant, is slightly larger and warmer than our Sun, with a surface temperature of almost 5940 K.

Composition and structure

Using the advanced PARAS-2 spectrograph, PRL researchers have detailed the planet’s composition. About 87% of TOI-6651b’s mass consists of rocky, iron-rich materials, with a lighter outer layer of hydrogen and helium. The planet’s high density suggests it may have undergone unusual evolutionary processes, such as tidal warming or atmospheric loss. These insights provide researchers with the opportunity to study planet formation in more detail, especially for massive planets with dense compositions.

Implications for planetary research

The discovery of TOI-6651b adds valuable data to ongoing studies of planetary formation and system dynamics. With continued observation, scientists hope to gain new insights into the features that define planets in the Neptunian Desert, contributing to a deeper understanding of planetary evolution in different environments.